VHP all set to observe 'Shaurya Diwas' in Ayodhya to mark the 26th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. LIVE UPDATES

As the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha elections near, Ayodhya has become the cynosure of all eyes. On the 26th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is all set to observe Shaurya Diwas on December 6 and is also gear up for programs lined up on the occasion of Gita Jayanti on December 18 to garner support for the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 

VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, Sharad Sharma, said, "Shaurya Diwas will be traditionally celebrated. In Ayodhya, the VHP and various Hindu organisations are likely to organise a number of religious programmes, including a hawan, so that a grand temple of Lord Ram is built." 

"Sarva baadha mukti hawans (hawans seeking to get rid of all obstructions) too will be held. Tributes will also be paid to the innocent karsewaks who faced bullets and lost their lives," he said and compared the karsewaks to Jatayu, the vulture who tried to rescue Sita from demon king Ravan in the epic Ramayana. 

Read: Ayodhya Residents Recall The Horrors Of 1992 Ayodhya Tragedy

Meanwhile, five left parties, in a joint statement on Monday, said they will observe December 6 as 'Defend the Constitution and Secularism Day'. The parties will stage 'dharnas' and 'protest marches' at 11 am on Thursday. The six Left parties have also decided to “strengthen” their ongoing protests against communal polarisation allegedly patronised by the Centre and BJP-led State governments.

“The form of protest actions in various states will be decided by our respective state level units,” a statement from the Left leaders said. They said the wilful demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 was accomplished under the direct gaze and complicity of the authorities under the Congress government at the Centre and a BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

“It highlighted the reality that far from consolidating the modern republic there are rabid forces who are determined to destroy its very foundations and to bring in an autocratic, rabidly intolerant, fascistic ‘Hindu Rashtra’, which is the RSS’ ideological project. RSS sponsored Hindutva private armies led by BJP leaders perpetrated the Babri demolition then — and today such private armies, emboldened and patronised by the BJP in power, are acting like a law unto themselves,” the statement added.

Read: Won’t Allow The Construction Of Ram Mandir, Prepared To Face War: SDPI Leader

The parties said though a quarter of a century has passed since this blot on the country’s secular democracy, no action has been taken till now against the organisers and perpetrators of the demolition.

“Democracy-loving people in India will never forget this injustice and will fight till its perpetrators are brought to justice".

(With inputs from agencies)